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The Prime Minister of Canada concludes his visit to Washington and to the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 1, 2016 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his visit to Washington, D.C., where he spoke before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and attended the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS).

In his address to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Prime Minister shared Canada's plan to strengthen the middle class and those working hard to join it. He also highlighted the government's recent tax cuts that put more money in the pockets of middle class families by raising taxes on the wealthiest one per cent of Canadians.

At the NSS, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will invest an additional $42 million in the Global Partnership Program – over the next two years – to improve nuclear and radiological security world-wide.

In support of the Global Coalition Against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Canada announced it would invest $51 million – over three years – to build the capacity of counter-terrorism programs in the Middle East and North Africa.

Quotes

"I am pleased to have participated in this fourth and final 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, and I look forward to building on these accomplishments to enhance nuclear security world-wide."– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"In Budget 2016, our government committed to growing the middle-class. When middle-class Canadians have more money to save, invest and grow the economy, everyone benefits."– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

On the margins of the NSS, the Prime Minister also met with many world leaders, including: the President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri; the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe; and, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), David Cameron.

In addition to the Global Partnership Program commitment, Canada will continue to take a leadership role on the world stage in the fight against nuclear terrorism. Canada is pleased to co-lead, with Spain and the Republic of Korea, a Joint Statement on the full and universal implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540. We are also leading with the UK in providing comprehensive certification training for nuclear security practitioners.

The funds dedicated to the Global Coalition Against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) will be drawn from the resources announced on February 8, 2016, when Canada articulated its refocused strategy for Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Programming will focus on helping to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, and countering ISIL's financing and messaging. The funds will also support border security activities in neighbouring countries in order to reduce their vulnerability to ISIL infiltration.

During the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Washington, D.C., the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that Canada is jointly leading for two "gift baskets": the first, with Spain and the Republic of Korea, aims to achieve the universal implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540; the second, with the United Kingdom, supports certified training for nuclear security management.

"Gift baskets" are a mechanism for sub-groups of NSS participants to take action in specific areas. Here are some details about the two gift baskets Canada is co-leading, as well as a run-down on the 15 gift baskets Canada is co-sponsoring.

Gift baskets co-led by Canada

Universal implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (co-led with Spain and the Republic of Korea)

Contributes to the full and universal implementation of UNSCR 1540, assists efforts in facilitating technical assistance on the implementation of 1540, and contributes to transparency and confidence-building in global nuclear security.

The importance of providing comprehensive training and certification for nuclear security practitioners (co-led with the UK)

Contributes to highlighting the successes of the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) Academy in providing certified training of nuclear security managers and personnel, and encourages the expansion of WINS' certification program.

Gift baskets co-sponsored by Canada

Sustaining action to strengthen global nuclear security(co-sponsored with the US)

Creates a US-led "Nuclear Security Contact Group" as a post-2016 coordinating mechanism that will assess gaps in the implementation of NSS commitments, identify emerging threats/issues, and reduce duplication of efforts.

Countering nuclear smuggling (co-sponsored with Jordan)

Outlines steps for states to investigate nuclear smugglers, detect and recover nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control, and prosecute criminals.

Nuclear Security Support Centers (co-sponsored with Italy)

Further implements and enhances the sustainability of Nuclear Security Support Centers (NSSC) and their Centres of Excellence through: strengthening the IAEA network; establishing regional networks; and, improving NSSC quality.

Nuclear detection (co-sponsored with Finland)

Assists states in building national capacities for nuclear detection, consistent with Canada's current border detection practices.

Insider threats (co-sponsored with the US)

Establishes a comprehensive graded approach to addressing insider threats at nuclear facilities, with both national and international steps.

Low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel banks (co-sponsoring with Kazakhstan)

Joint Statement by states supporting the establishment of the IAEA LEU Fuel Bank (Canada is a Member State of this IAEA initiative).

Transport security (co-sponsored with Japan)

Endorses best practices guides developed by NSS states for transport modes (air, maritime, rail, and road), two of which Canada helped develop (air, and road).

Preparedness and response (co-sponsored with the Republic of Korea)

Supports enhanced nuclear terrorism preparedness/response capabilities by building on national capacities, and enhancing international cooperation and assistance.

Contains broad areas for states to build national capacities for nuclear forensics, and is consistent with Canada's current nuclear forensics capabilities.

Cyber security: industrial control systems (co-sponsored with the UK)

Increases cyber security of industrial control and plant systems at nuclear facilities, as a central element of the international community's response to this evolving threat.

Maritime supply chain security (co-sponsored with the UK)

Outlines "best practices" that were discussed at a 16-18 November 2015 workshop at Wilton Park, UK. These practices focus on technical areas to enhance security of nuclear materials being transported via marine shipping.

Supports actions that strengthen the security of HASS through improving whole-of-life management of HASS, and exploring alternative non-HASS technologies.

HEU minimization and elimination in civilian uses (co-sponsored with Norway)

Supports action to minimize highly-enriched uranium (HEU)–with a view to eventual elimination–in civilian applications, such as its use as fuel for research reactors, and HEU-based production of medical isotopes.

Statement by the Global Partnership (co-sponsored with Japan)

Highlights support by the 31-member Global Partnership in supporting the goals and commitments of the NSS process and the intention to continue efforts to prevent non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

While in Washington, D.C. attending the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an additional commitment to strengthen counter-terrorism capacity in Africa and the Middle East. These funds will be drawn from the resources announced on February 8, 2016, when Canada articulated its refocused strategy for Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

Through Global Affairs Canada's Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program (CTCBP), Canada will assist foreign states in preventing and responding to terrorist activity. This will be achieved through the provision of training, equipment, and technical legal assistance.

The CTCBP has the following six thematic priorities: law enforcement, military and intelligence; legal assistance; border and transportation security; combatting the financing of terrorism; countering improvised explosive devices; and, countering violent extremism and foreign terrorist fighters.

Canada is a member of 18 international legal instruments to combat terrorism, and is actively involved in international efforts to fight terrorism via the UN, the Global Coalition Against ISIL, the Global Counter-terrorism Forum, and the G7. Canada also cooperates bilaterally with other governments and with key international organizations, notably INTERPOL.

FUNDING TO SECURE NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL MATERIALS FROM TERRORISTS

At the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced a contribution of $42 million to improve nuclear and radiological security world-wide. The funds will be allocated as follows:

Preventing the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological material: $26.5M towards efforts to further strengthen global capacities to detect and disrupt illicit trafficking activities through strengthening national capacities in partner countries by providing training and equipment (Mexico, Colombia, Jordan, and Peru), as well as providing support to counter-proliferation efforts by key intergovernmental organisations (the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL).

Supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Security Fund: $6.6M to help facilitate the implementation of programs to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear terrorism, including through support for emerging threat areas such as cyber-security at nuclear facilities, coordinated research projects, and support for Nuclear Security Support Centres and material outside of regulatory control, as highlighted in the Nuclear Security Summit Action Plan in support of the IAEA.

Enhancing the physical security of nuclear facilities: $5.7M to continue efforts to support partner countries to refurbish and upgrade security measures and train relevant staff at national nuclear facilities (Thailand, Ukraine, and Egypt through the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund).

Promoting security of radioactive sources: $2.3M to help remove disused high activity sealed radioactive sources – primarily in the Americas – which builds upon longstanding efforts to secure and decommission radiological sources.

Improving transportation security: $1M for projects with the United States Department of State to improve international transportation security.

Supporting multilateral initiatives: A total of $100,000 for in-kind technical expertise to the IAEA and for nuclear forensics with the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

Canada's Global Partnership Program

Canada's Global Partnership Program (GPP) is the main funding mechanism by which Canada supports concrete projects to combat and reduce the threat of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) proliferation and terrorism.

Since 2002, Canada's GPP has provided close to $1.2B for concrete programming in the areas of CBRN security, implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, and chemical weapons destruction. More than $300M has been invested since 2002 on GPP projects to enhance nuclear and radiological security world-wide.

Previously, Canada also contributed $8M to remove all fissile material from Vietnam and Mexico. Canada has also supported efforts by the IAEA, the United States, and Jamaica to convert the core of the Canadian-supplied Safe Low-Power Critical Experiment (SLOWPOKE) research reactor in Jamaica from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium.